Adeeb Usmani Shines as UAE Completes T20 Series Sweep Against Malaysia

Adeeb Usmani quickly put behind him the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the Asia Cup by helping the UAE secure a clean sweep against Malaysia.

A three-match T20 international series had been tacked on to the end of a tour to Kuala Lumpur, for which the primary business had been the ACC Premier Cup. The champions of that 10-team competition, played in the 50-over format, would qualify for the Asia Cup in Bangladesh next year, pitting them against the giants of Asian cricket, including India. Many of the UAE side – including Usmani – grew up aspiring to represent India at cricket, making the feeling of loss acute when they were beaten to qualification in the final by Nepal.

There was further fallout from that game for Usmani, who was censured for indiscipline by the ICC. Usmani and Nepal batter Rohit Paudel were fined for breaching the game’s code of conduct during a row in Nepal’s batting innings. The duo had an angry exchange of words and had to be separated before being docked 15 per cent of their match fees and receiving one demerit point each for “disobeying an umpire’s instruction” after the argument continued despite official intervention.

Despite these challenges, Usmani continued his fine form with the bat in the subsequent T20I series. The wicketkeeper-batter, who only debuted for the national team earlier this year after becoming one of the first cricketers granted UAE citizenship, boasts an average of over 40 across eight ODIs, featuring a century and two fifties.

Usmani starred once more as the UAE wrapped up a 3-0 series win over the hosts in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, smashing 95 runs off 53 balls to set up a 59-run victory. He proved to be an able substitute at the top of the order for Muhammad Waseem, who missed the series while participating in the ETPL in Europe.

The squad will now head back to the UAE, where players hope to press their claims for an ILT20 contract via the development tournament taking place in Dubai.